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You can't have a Southern vacation without stopping by Kentucky. Kentucky is known for several things, including horse racing, bourbon and moonshine, and bluegrass music. This southern state is worth visiting for its storied past, breathtaking scenery, and world-class museums like Muhammad Ali Center.
Lexington, famous for its many horse farms and thoroughbred racetracks like Keeneland, and The Red River Gorge, a canyon system on the Red River in east-central Kentucky, are just two examples of the many exciting places in the state.
Where To Go And What To See In Lexington (Before Red River Gorge)
Lexington, the state's second-largest city, is widely recognized as the "horse capital of the United States" due to its abundance of world-class equine attractions. Some of the best things to do in Lexington include attending a race day at Keeneland, visiting a horse farm, or traveling the Kentucky Bourbon Trail to sample the wares of numerous distilleries.
Food, retail, and entertainment have all found a home in Lexington. The city's extensive southern friendliness and picturesque farmlands are also popular tourist attractions.
While in the city, stop by the Mary Todd Lincoln House on West Main Street in downtown Lexington. It was constructed from 1803 to 1806 out of beautiful Georgian brick and served as a bar and inn.
The Mary Todd Lincoln House is now a museum dedicated to preserving this piece of American history for future generations to enjoy. It's the first time a historical site has been renovated specifically for a first lady, and it includes artifacts that put visitors right in the middle of the action.
The façade features a beautiful set of grounds great for strolling, while the interiors have kept many original photographs and furnishings from the period.
Mary Todd Lincoln, the late president's wife, served as the 16th First Lady of the United States. Over the years, she paid several visits to the house where she grew up.
It has 14 rooms and offers tours that last an hour, during which time guests can learn about the life and times of the prominent people they are seeing.
The Keeneland Race Course is open to the public all year round. Keeneland has been operating since 1936, making it a long-standing and storied location for horse racing.
Even while horse races are the primary draw to Keeneland, visitors will find plenty to enjoy year-round, thanks to the track's wide variety of activities and cultural significance.
Keeneland hosts various events throughout the year, including some of the greatest thoroughbred auctions in the United States and celebrations of racing's rich history and culture.
Visitors with kids under 12 should check out the Keeneland Kids Club. For those intrigued by the history of the thoroughbred, peruse the archives or stroll through the beautifully maintained grounds.
How To Get To The Red River Gorge From Lexington
About sixty miles southeast of Lexington, Kentucky, is where travelers find the Red River Gorge. Those coming from the west need first to make their way to Lexington.
From Lexington to Red River Gorge is 107.6 kilometers and should take about 1 hour and 15 minutes of driving time.
To get to I-64 East from Cincinnati, drivers should take I-75 south to Lexington (exit 111). To get to the Mountain Parkway from I-64, continue on the interstate for about two miles past the second Winchester exit.
The distance from the Mountain Parkway's entrance to Slade's exit is roughly 33 kilometers. Stanton is situated some 12 miles before the departure for Slade. Before entering the Gorge, Stanton is your last chance to find fast food.
If you see a sign for the exit toward Slade, use it. At the stop sign, go right; the Slade Rest Area will be on your immediate right. Here is where you should stop to gather your thoughts, reunite with any traveling companions, and get ready for your travels.
As for airports, the closest one is in Lexington, Kentucky, which is about an hour's drive from the RRG. It takes roughly two hours to drive to Louisville, Kentucky, and the flight time to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky airport is around 2 hours.
The Red River Gorge and Things To Do There
Over a third of the 333-mile Sheltowee Trace route, which extends from Kentucky to Tennessee, passes through Red River Gorge, in the east-central part of the state.
Popular outdoor activities in the region include rock climbing, hiking, and camping.
Paved trails and scenic vistas await at the Sky Bridge Recreational Area. Rough Trail, Gray's Arch, Rock Bridge, and Swift Camp Creek are all well-liked options for those seeking more challenging hikes.
Remember that white diamonds denote official trails, while white turtles indicate the Sheltowee Trace. Keep to the course at all times to prevent ecological damage.
Climbers worldwide flock to "The Red" because it has some of the finest crags in the USA.
Features of steep sandstone endowed with iron deposits are like a little piece of heaven in terms of friction and grip. The presence of rock shelters increases enjoyment. The sport climbing is the main draw, although there are also several trad and bouldering routes.
Primitive camping is abundant in Kentucky's Red River Gorge, and many locals flock there when they want to escape the city.
Remember that camping is not allowed within 300 feet of trails or 100 feet of rock shelters.
It is technically against the law to sleep or create a fire in rock shelters, even though campers will find many such rings.
Because of its popularity and convenient proximity to hiking routes, Koomer Ridge is the most well-known campground surrounding Red River Gorge.
- Where To Stay: Red River Gorge Cabin Rentals provides stunning canyon views from private cliff-top lodges and lakeside cabin homes with fireplaces and hot tubs.
- Where To Eat: Miguel's Pizza has become the "Gorge visitor hot spot" due to its convenient position directly across the street from Natural Bridge State Park in the Red River Gorge region.